This article in SandHill’s series profiling software leaders features Sandy Kurtzig, who founded Ask Computer Systems in 1972 and, after growing it into one of the world’s 10 largest software companies, became the first woman to take a tech company public. She shares her advice for women leaders, startups, how to deal with disruption and more.

The rush to social, analytics, cloud, mobile and security has created chasms within organizations. This is generally not because of a lack of strategic vision but, rather, an inability to operationalize the disruptions.

Dresner Advisory Services’ first Wisdom of Crowds® Location Intelligence Market Study reveals priorities in mobile and Internet of Things for location intelligence. Among the findings are vendor investments, what verticals are the most upbeat for faster adoption and user feature priorities.

Because of the Internet of Things, devices, equipment and applications that were never interconnected are now communicating, creating pressure on broadband service providers. How will they upgrade technology and ensure that scalable, reliable bandwidth is available to always-connected devices?

Many use cases today are based on an ability to get to and process data previously inaccessible, enabling organizations to explore new dimensions of its business model. Such “new data” include data generated by the Internet of Things. A new driver for Big Data, the IoT also creates new challenges.

Join SafeNet on May 8 at Maggiano’s in San Jose, CA for a lunch and learn, featuring R. “Ray” Wang, Principal Analyst, Founder and Chairman of Constellation Research, Inc. Business models in software are rapidly changing. The shift from on premise to recurring revenue models is here. Bolstered by a shift in buyers from tech savvy folks to business savvy decision makers, software publishers must prepare for this new shift. From trends in cloud licensing to managing upgrades and uplifts while satisfying customers, you won't want to miss this exclusive and interactive session!

If you are not based in the Bay Area, SafeNet will be hosting lunch and learns throughout the U.S. this year. To learn more and find out if we’re coming to your city, please contact: marcy.clapp@safenet-inc.com.

Register now for Webcast on Sand Hill’s 2014 Software CEO / CFO Outlook
Recently, we asked leading software CEOs and CFOs to share their insights into the state of the software industry and how their companies are adapting to changing conditions. Please join M.R. Rangaswami, CEO of Sand Hill Group, for a live webcast on May 6 at 11:00 a.m. PT/ 2:00 p.m. ET and a panel of software industry executives to discuss the key study findings. You’ll learn what your colleagues think about:

The business outlook for the next 12 months

How companies are forecasting for revenue growth, hiring, and expense

What key metrics are being used to track their business

The key factors expected to drive growth over the next 48 months

How the Internet of Things will impact their business

Attendees will receive a free copy of the full report (a $300 value).Register now.

Don’t forget to register for this live seminar on April 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 am PT (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET) to learn about preparing and executing a successful IPO.

Is an IPO in your software company’s future? Or are you hoping your fast-growth company gets noticed and acquired? In either case, a strong financial management foundation for rigorous reporting and compliance is critical, but you also need flexibility to handle continued growth as a public company. Join this live webinar on April 23 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 am PT (1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET) to hear from our executive panelists on preparing and executing a successful IPO.